The adoption of cryptocurrency as a legitimate payment method is accelerating across the global retail landscape. With over 15,174 businesses worldwide now accepting digital currencies and approximately 2,300 based in the United States, crypto is transitioning from niche innovation to mainstream commerce. This shift reflects growing consumer demand, technological advancements, and increasing merchant confidence in blockchain-based transactions.
The Rise of Crypto-Friendly Retailers
As digital assets gain credibility, more retailers are integrating cryptocurrency payments into their operations. Currently, 32% of businesses globally accept some form of cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin leading the charge. Around 58% of crypto-accepting retailers support Bitcoin, making it the most widely adopted digital currency in retail.
Other popular cryptocurrencies include:
- Bitcoin Cash (36%)
- Ethereum (35%)
- Litecoin (28%)
- Binance Coin (24%)
Despite this momentum, 48% of businesses still do not plan to adopt cryptocurrency payments in the near term, citing concerns over volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and technical integration challenges.
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Why Merchants Are Going Crypto
A significant driver behind adoption is customer behavior. Data shows that 40% of crypto-paying customers are new to the retailer, indicating that accepting digital currencies can attract fresh audiences. Moreover, these customers spend twice as much per transaction compared to traditional credit card users.
Forward-thinking merchants also recognize the long-term potential. A striking 75% of retailers report plans to accept cryptocurrency or stablecoins within the next 24 months—highlighting a clear trajectory toward broader financial inclusion through digital assets.
Stablecoins, which maintain price stability by being pegged to fiat currencies or commodities, are expected to play a key role in future retail payments due to reduced volatility.
Major U.S. Companies Embracing Cryptocurrency
The United States has been at the forefront of retail crypto adoption. With Microsoft—valued at $3.12 trillion in 2024—as the largest company accepting Bitcoin and Ethereum, American corporations are setting industry standards.
Notable U.S. adopters include:
- Tesla: The only major U.S. company accepting Dogecoin.
- Overstock: First major retailer to accept Bitcoin in 2014.
- AT&T, Chipotle, and Starbucks: All accept Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- PayPal and Shopify: Enable crypto payments for millions of merchants.
Starbucks stands out as the largest food and beverage brand accepting crypto, with $36.5 billion in annual sales. Additionally, six professional sports teams—including the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks—now accept digital currencies, enhancing fan engagement through innovative payment options.
Luxury fashion brands like Gucci and Balenciaga have also joined the movement, accepting Bitcoin and Ethereum both online and in select stores.
State-by-State Adoption in the U.S.
Cryptocurrency adoption varies significantly across U.S. states, with California leading the nation at 535 Bitcoin-accepting retailers. It’s followed by:
- Florida (266)
- Texas (202)
- New York (179)
- Kansas (110)
South Dakota remains the only state without any known retailers accepting Bitcoin. However, 53% of U.S. states now have at least one physical Bitcoin ATM, reflecting growing infrastructure support.
Urban centers are driving adoption:
- Los Angeles leads in overall crypto-friendly retailers.
- Chicago ranks second for restaurants accepting crypto.
- Boston follows closely in retail acceptance.
On average, each U.S. state hosts about 53 crypto-accepting retailers, signaling expanding access beyond tech hubs.
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Global Retailers Accepting Cryptocurrency
Internationally, crypto adoption is gaining traction among e-commerce platforms and service providers.
In 2022, consumers spent $11.6 billion worth of cryptocurrency** on goods globally—representing 0.19% of all e-commerce transactions. Projections suggest this will rise to **$39 billion by 2026, capturing 0.5% of global digital sales.
Key international players include:
- Shopify (Canada): Highest-valued non-U.S. corporation accepting crypto ($75.3B market cap).
- Rakuten (Japan): Largest Asian corporation accepting crypto, with $14.6B in sales in 2023.
- Emirates Airlines (UAE): Leading airline accepting Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Fourteen Fortune 2000 companies now accept cryptocurrency directly, illustrating institutional validation of digital currencies.
Regulatory Landscape Around the World
Crypto regulations vary widely:
- Banned in nine countries: Algeria, Bolivia, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, and Tunisia.
- Legal tender status granted in two nations: El Salvador and Central African Republic.
- At least 26 countries have explicit laws allowing crypto payments.
After the U.S., the highest Bitcoin trading volumes occur in Russia, the United Kingdom, and China, despite its domestic ban on transactions.
Consumer Trends Driving Crypto Payments
Consumer interest in using cryptocurrency for everyday purchases is rising sharply.
There are now:
- 296 million unique Bitcoin owners
- 124 million Ethereum owners
From 2023 to 2024, ownership grew by:
- 33% for Bitcoin
- 39% for Ethereum
Additionally:
- 65% of consumers want to pay with cryptocurrency.
- Of those, 80% are interested in using it for daily retail purchases.
- 55% of crypto owners would choose a store that accepts crypto over one that doesn’t.
- 13% obtained crypto specifically for online shopping.
These figures underscore a growing alignment between consumer preferences and merchant capabilities.
Indirect Crypto Acceptance via Gift Cards
While direct integration remains challenging—67.9% of merchants cite technical difficulties—many retailers accept crypto indirectly through gift cards or third-party wallets.
Key insights:
- 93% of retailers report that non-native wallets like PayPal are the primary method for crypto payments.
- 23% accept crypto only via non-crypto-native platforms.
- Platforms like Coingate, Bitrefill, and Coinsbee allow users to buy gift cards for Amazon, Apple, Nike, and more using cryptocurrency.
- These gift cards account for 4.3% of in-store crypto-related purchases.
- Crypto users are 95% more likely to redeem gift cards in-store than online.
Coingate leads the space with over 4,360 gift card options available for purchase with digital assets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which major companies accept cryptocurrency?
A: Microsoft, Tesla, AT&T, Starbucks, Shopify, PayPal, Gucci, and Overstock are among the largest companies accepting various cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Q: Can I use cryptocurrency at Walmart or Amazon?
A: Neither Walmart nor Amazon directly accept cryptocurrency. However, you can buy gift cards for these retailers using crypto through platforms like BitPay or Coingate.
Q: Is Bitcoin widely accepted in physical stores?
A: While still limited compared to traditional payment methods, thousands of physical retailers—especially in states like California and Florida—do accept Bitcoin directly or via gift cards.
Q: What percentage of retailers plan to accept crypto soon?
A: About 75% of merchants indicate plans to adopt cryptocurrency or stablecoin payments within the next two years.
Q: Why do some businesses hesitate to accept crypto?
A: Common barriers include price volatility, lack of technical infrastructure, regulatory uncertainty, and consumer education gaps.
Q: How do I spend crypto if a store doesn’t accept it directly?
A: Use services like Coingate or Bitrefill to purchase gift cards with your cryptocurrency and redeem them at major retailers.
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